The Escambray Mountains () are a mountain range in the central region of
Cuba
Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...
, in the provinces of
Sancti Spíritus
Sancti Spíritus () is a municipality and capital city of the province of Sancti Spíritus Province, Sancti Spíritus in central Cuba and one of the oldest Cuban European settlements. Sancti Spíritus is the genitive case of Latin language, Lat ...
,
Cienfuegos and
Villa Clara.
Overview
The Escambray Mountains are located in the south-central region of the island, extending about from east to west, and from north to south.
Their highest peak,
Pico San Juan, rises to above sea level. The Escambray range is divided into two sections by the
Agabama River. The western part is called the
Guamuhaya Mountains, and the eastern part, raising between
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands of Trinidad and Tobago. The island lies off the northeastern coast of Venezuela and sits on the continental shelf of South America. It is often referred to as the southernmos ...
and
Sancti Spiritus, is best known as
Sierra de Sancti Spíritus. After Pico San Juan, the highest points are
Caballete de Casas,
Gavilanes,
Loma de Banao,
Caja de Agua, and
Pico Tuerto.
Topes de Collantes is a nature reserve park established in the south-eastern ranges of Escambray Mountains, protecting and showcasing caves, rivers, waterfalls, and canyons. The
Valley de los Ingenios is developed at the south-eastern foot of the mountains, and is a
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
World Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
.
The mountains were the theater of the
Escambray Rebellion
The Escambray rebellion was an armed conflict from 1959 to 1965 in the Escambray Mountains during which several insurgent groups fought against the Cuban government led by Fidel Castro. The military operation against the rebellion was called the ...
in 1959–1965. It was also a planned refuge during the
Bay of Pigs Invasion
The Bay of Pigs Invasion (, sometimes called ''Invasión de Playa Girón'' or ''Batalla de Playa Girón'' after the Playa Girón) was a failed military landing operation on the southwestern coast of Cuba in 1961 by Cuban exiles, covertly fin ...
, however, it was never used as such.
Gallery
Image:EscambrayVC.JPG, Escambray near Hanabanilla lake in Villa Clara Province
Villa Clara is one of the provinces of Cuba. It is located in the central region of the island bordering with the Atlantic at north, Matanzas Province by west, Sancti Spiritus Province by east, and Cienfuegos Province on the South. Villa Clar ...
Image:HanabanillaLake.JPG, The Hanabanilla lake is at 364 meters over sea level and averages 40 meters deep.
Image:11 Sierra Escambray VC.JPG, Tropical rain forest near in the heart of Topes de Collantes, Sancti Spíritus
Sancti Spíritus () is a municipality and capital city of the province of Sancti Spíritus Province, Sancti Spíritus in central Cuba and one of the oldest Cuban European settlements. Sancti Spíritus is the genitive case of Latin language, Lat ...
Province
Image:La Boca and Escambray.JPG, La Boca fisherman's village near Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands of Trinidad and Tobago. The island lies off the northeastern coast of Venezuela and sits on the continental shelf of South America. It is often referred to as the southernmos ...
with Escambray at the back
Image:Presa Jibacoa (Embalse Hanabanilla).jpg, Hanabanilla lake wall, in the village of Jibacoa
Jibacoa, or more properly Playa Jibacoa, is a fishing village
A fishing village is a village, usually located near a fishing ground, with an economy based on catching fish and harvesting seafood. The continents and islands around the world h ...
, in Villa Clara, Escambray.
See also
*
Geography of Cuba
References
External links
{{Mountain ranges of Cuba
Mountain ranges of Cuba
Geography of Cienfuegos Province
Geography of Villa Clara Province
Geography of Sancti Spíritus Province